Most helpful positive review

I'm a big time radio guy, and have used many models over the years. There are two things that really make any radio stand out, and this one has both of them.The ICF-38 is an excellent performer as far as reception of both AM and FM signals go. Weak signal pick up on both bands is markedly better here than with almost all small portable radios I've used, and even more importantly, selectivity (ability to seperate stations cleanly) is better as well. The tone switch (which some radios don't even have) cuts the treble when desired, if you want a less harsh sounding AM signal. The dial has no clock or light, but an LED for indicating if a station is tuned in. Battery life is excellent if alkalines are used (it takes 4 AA batteries). Output volume is listed as 4 watts, quite loud for a radio of this size, with little distortion at top level.The other ingredient for a good radio is ease of use and a well thought out design. There are little things here which most people won't notice that actually make this radio a joy to use. Many radios today that run off both internal batteries and AC require a seperate wall-wart that plugs into the radio and the outlet, but the ICF-38 has the power cord built in so you won't have to search for it when needed. Also, the battery cover is hinged, which is great as battery covers can disappear as easily as wall-warts (and you can't just go to Wal-mart to buy a new battery cover). The carry handle flips up when needed, and there is an indentation in the cabinet which allows you to slip in a finger to raise it easily, and you'll find out how nice this is when your hands are full and you need to bring the radio with you as well. Both slide switches for band selection and power have a raised bump in the middle which makes it easier to change bands or turn it on. Finally, The shape makes it easy to place in most locations and it is very stable, making it unlikely to get knocked over.If there were no markings on this radio to indicate the manufacturer, I would have easily guessed that it was a Sony product. It has the great performance and clever design that I associate with Sony.

Most helpful critical review

First, this is the Sony ICF-38 which is available for $10.00 less elsewhere on Amazon. It is a nice looking smallish radio and seems well built with the basic features you might need. It did not work for me however as the reception in the lower end of the FM dial was plagued by reflections of stronger stations higher on the dial and I could not receive the station I was looking for at 88.1. We have an old GE model 7-26600 portable that gets better reception with a partially broken antenna. Maybe FM is just not important to radio makers anymore - seems like most newer portables have this problem, unless it's a car radio. I am going to try a more expensive Sangean or Crane model next.

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I'm a big time radio guy, and have used many models over the years. There are two things that really make any radio stand out, and this one has both of them.The ICF-38 is an excellent performer as far as reception of both AM and FM signals go. Weak signal pick up on both bands is markedly better here than with almost all small portable radios I've used, and even more importantly, selectivity (ability to seperate stations cleanly) is better as well. The tone switch (which some radios don't even have) cuts the treble when desired, if you want a less harsh sounding AM signal. The dial has no clock or light, but an LED for indicating if a station is tuned in. Battery life is excellent if alkalines are used (it takes 4 AA batteries). Output volume is listed as 4 watts, quite loud for a radio of this size, with little distortion at top level.The other ingredient for a good radio is ease of use and a well thought out design. There are little things here which most people won't notice that actually make this radio a joy to use. Many radios today that run off both internal batteries and AC require a seperate wall-wart that plugs into the radio and the outlet, but the ICF-38 has the power cord built in so you won't have to search for it when needed. Also, the battery cover is hinged, which is great as battery covers can disappear as easily as wall-warts (and you can't just go to Wal-mart to buy a new battery cover). The carry handle flips up when needed, and there is an indentation in the cabinet which allows you to slip in a finger to raise it easily, and you'll find out how nice this is when your hands are full and you need to bring the radio with you as well. Both slide switches for band selection and power have a raised bump in the middle which makes it easier to change bands or turn it on. Finally, The shape makes it easy to place in most locations and it is very stable, making it unlikely to get knocked over.If there were no markings on this radio to indicate the manufacturer, I would have easily guessed that it was a Sony product. It has the great performance and clever design that I associate with Sony.

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Just what I was looking for--a quality desktop radio with nothing fancy-- just a radio. The sound quality is very good and the reception is excellent with a telescoping adjustable attenna. Great value for the price.

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Having been a radio nut for years, and using this radio for about five months now, this review is not given casually. Probably could stock my own radio store.

If you're looking for a basic AM/FM portable radio with excellent reception, sound, portability, quality and brand, you've come to the right place. And there's even a Tone High/Low switch which gives a nice variety of sound choices.

Rather than going into the specifics of the antenna, carry handle, aesthetic appeal, speaker size and quality, functionality of the knobs, battery life, suffice it to say, for $25 you can't go wrong! Try it - you'll like it.(and no, I'm not a Sony nor Amazon representative)

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This radio brings in distant stations, sounds good, and takes up little space. The controls are easy for me to use. These were the qualities I was looking for so I am pleased I made the choice to buy Sony ICF38.

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I just recently purchased this gem for use in my office & garage & my first impressions are as follows:

-Decent sound quality

-Reception is very good,actually better than a few portables I own that cost much more.

-Very easy to use,you don't even need a manual.

This radio is a throw back to the 70's,no bells and whistles just a tone control for music & talk. What impressed me the most is the ease of picking up on AM lower powered stations over 100 miles in the day time. For giggles & grins, I used a 'Select A Tenna' antenna in the night time & this unit turned into a serious DX,ing machine! . In a nushell, for the money you can't go wrong.

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batteries run forever. this is replacing the older version of this model which had the tv band and emergency weather, never the less this one works great I use this for the yard and beach and it is also fairly sturdy.

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First off, what it isn't. It is not a killer high end state of the art sound system. It's not even stereo. The only sound control (other than volume) is a simple tone switch. And it's either high or low. No fancy equalization, bass, treble, mid,or any other control. Now, what it is. A throughly competent portable radio. I've owned it over a year now, and can find no real "flaws" about it. I have a primitive, remote cabin in northern Michigan, no electricity, and was looking for some kind of portable with decent sound, reception, and battery life. I simply could not be happier! First, the tone switch. I was concerned that I wouldn't be happy with it. But then, all I wanted was basic radio, so I took the chance. Turns out, it's just fine. There isn't much difference between the sound on either setting, but... turns out it's very life-like! Obviously you're not going to get Earth shaking bass from this radio, but the actual sound quality is first rate. Crystal clear, crisp, and sharp. The reception is top notch. I don't know about the AM band because there are NO AM stations in the area. Can't even get one on the car stereo. But the FM is excellent. The little red "tuning" LED is pretty much useless. It only works on strong signals, but I never pay attention to it anyway. Just tune it till it sounds right. Note: Stations do NOT drift. Rugged? Mine fell off a 3 foot table onto a concrete floor. It was on at the time and immediately quit working. After a few minutes, I thought to check the batteries and found one dislodged. Popped it back in place, and good as new. Battery life? I can't tell you how long a set of AA's last. I'm still on the FIRST set! Over a year now. I get up to the cabin for 4-5 days at a time and went 5 or 6 times last year.. twice this year. It's on most of the time I'm up there, and I kid you not, still on the first set! Granted they were Duracell top of the line. Bottom line? I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I had high expectations after reading the reviews, but this far exceeded them. Can you tell I like it?

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First, this is the Sony ICF-38 which is available for $10.00 less elsewhere on Amazon. It is a nice looking smallish radio and seems well built with the basic features you might need. It did not work for me however as the reception in the lower end of the FM dial was plagued by reflections of stronger stations higher on the dial and I could not receive the station I was looking for at 88.1. We have an old GE model 7-26600 portable that gets better reception with a partially broken antenna. Maybe FM is just not important to radio makers anymore - seems like most newer portables have this problem, unless it's a car radio. I am going to try a more expensive Sangean or Crane model next.